Opinion: Final Fantasy IX — A Formative Title That Deserves a Remake
At Beehive Games, we understand that a company is more than just an entity; it is the people who infuse it with their unique essence to make it what it is. That’s why we embrace the idea of incorporating opinion pieces. By featuring these pieces, we aim to showcase the rich tapestry of ideas and beliefs held by our team members. It serves as a reminder that our organization is not just a faceless entity but passionate individuals who contribute to our shared vision and a place where ideas thrive and our games reflect the collective soul of the people that make them.
As some of you may already know, I am an avid enthusiast of JRPGs. However, my passion for these games extends beyond the intricate mechanics and turn-based combat. What truly captivates me are the intricately crafted worlds, compelling characters, and bombastic effects when a character uses Holy, Ultima or summons Leviathan that completely blow the players away. This has fueled my personal endeavor to create my own JRPG, a project that Beehive Games is currently undertaking. I am eagerly looking forward to sharing the development process and exciting updates with you all in an upcoming dev log post so stay tuned!
Final Fantasy IX holds a special place in my heart as the game that ignited my JRPG journey. It was not long after the family had moved for work from Hampshire to Surrey when I was around 9, 10, or perhaps even 11 years old that I first encountered this what would be a formative title. Every Friday night, a cherished tradition unfolded as my dad and I ventured to our neighborhood video rental store (shoutout to Moonlight Movies in Ashtead for those who are familiar). On one fateful day, I stumbled upon Final Fantasy IX and decided it would be my chosen game for the weekend. Little did I know that this decision would set the stage for an incredible adventure and mark the beginning of my enduring love for the JRPG genre.
From the moment I delved into Final Fantasy IX, I was spellbound. The opening sequence, featuring the charismatic members of Tantalus, the request from Princess Garnet to be kidnapped by the hero Zidane, the introduction of the endearing Vivi, the timid yet mighty black mage, and the resounding battle theme that accompanied my encounters with diverse monsters — all of it left an huge impression. I was completely swept away by its incredible storytelling. So much so that after renting it multiple times, I couldn’t resist but ask for a copy of the game as a Christmas gift.
However, I never managed to complete it. I embarked on a remarkable journey, venturing through every corner of the game’s expansive world until I reached the climactic last dungeon. But as the challenges grew more formidable and life’s demands encroached upon my gaming time, the years slipped by, and regrettably, my once beloved game found itself neglected, gathering dust on the shelf. In a haphazard, impulsive moment, I made a decision that I now deeply regret — I traded it in or sold it. The details evade my memory, but writing this article fills me with remorse for parting ways with something that played such a pivotal role in shaping my life.
I was then delighted that what seems like a million years later that they made a Unity based port that came out on my favourite console, the Nintendo Switch.
I have spent countless hours immersed in the Final Fantasy IX port, cherishing every moment of gameplay. However, as much as I adore it, I cannot deny that the game is seen through rose-tinted glasses and is in dire need of modernization. Its main drawback lies in its tendency to frequently split up the party, leading to a disparity in character levels. While it’s possible to manage to some extent, a particularly challenging moment arises when facing Lich for the first time. This encounter forces you to have a party consisting of Zidane and Quina, the latter being, in my opinion, one of the most difficult characters to utilize effectively. The Blue magic mechanic, which Quina relies on, proves to be the least intuitive of all the character abilities. This is where I bounced off.
I was hoping to go back to the FF9 port, but now that the “rumours” of a remake exist, I think I will just wait. Whilst I loved the battles of the original, the game needs a modernisation pass when it comes to character levellling and splitting up the party. As long as they don’t change the story too heavily like they have done with Final Fantasy VII, I will be over joyed to see what some of my favourite characters in video games look like on modern day platforms and will hopefully, finall finish the quest I started with them all those years ago.
